Shorter warmer winters, reduced snowpack, less water available in summer, increasing forest fires. We've already seen these changes beginning in Aspen, and greater changes are on the way. Global warming is our problem.

But the solution is also ours. 80% of US emissions of carbon dioxide are a consequence of consumer demands for energy in our homes, cars, and travel. This gives us a great deal of power in reducing these emissions.

Contrary to the claim that reductions will be costly, they can actually save money. IBM reduced its total energy use by almost 7% in 2001, saving $22.6 million and 220,100 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. BP reduced its own emissions by 10% in just 5 years and saved $650 million in the process.

Everyone has a role to play. Each of us can find ways to save a ton of carbon dioxide emissions in our own lives. As we find the ways that work, we can reach out to other communities, with the goal of hastening the transition to a new, cleaner energy system that does not threaten our environment, our economy, and our way of life.

With the ski industry and our town's economy on the front lines of climate change, it's the least we can do. Let's roll.


Find out what Aspen is already doing.